The First Day of the Rest of My Life
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4.2 • 31 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
In this deeply moving and wonderfully insightful novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb explores what can happen when one woman decides to reclaim her past-and her future-no matter where they lead. . .
Madeline O'Shea tells people what to do with their lives. A renowned life coach, she inspires thousands of women through her thriving practice-exuding enviable confidence along with her stylish suits and sleek hair. But her confidence, just like her fashionable demeanor, is all a front.
For decades, Madeline has lived in fear of her traumatic past becoming public. Now a reporter is reinvestigating the notorious crime that put Madeline's mother behind bars, threatening to destroy her elaborate façade. Only Madeline's sister, Annie, and their frail grandparents know about her childhood--but lately Madeline has reason to wonder if her grandparents also have a history they've been keeping from her.
As the demons of the past swirl around her, a tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart is urging Madeline to have faith in him-and in herself. And as she allows her resistance to thaw, the pain she expects pales in comparison to the surprises headed straight to her door. With one bold, unprecedented move, Madeline O'Shea may just wake up out of the sadness and guilt that have kept her sleepwalking through life for so long-and discover that the worst thing that can happen is sometimes the very thing we desperately need.
The First Day of the Rest of My Life is an eloquent and triumphant tale of a fierce act of love, a family's legacy, and one woman's awakening to her own power-with no secrets. . .. .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Successful life coach Madeline O'Shea is close to her sister, Annie, and her grandparents, whose long love and active sex life inspire her. But Madeline and her sister are both shaped by early abuse at the hands of their stepfather and two of his friends. When the young Madeline told her mother, who was terminally ill, the men were brought to trial. But they were handed a light sentence, so her mother shot them dead right in the courtroom. Madeline has tried to bury the violent past, and the guilt she feels for failing to protect her sister from abuse, but the arrival of a reporter, who wants to write an "anniversary of the shooting" piece, brings it all back and tips off a blackmailer in possession of old photos taken by the molesters. This in turn prompts Madeline's grandfather to come clean about his own past and long-held lies that affect Madeline and her sister. Lamb's latest (after Henry's Sisters) is a mixed bag: dialogue can be banal, and prose largely perfunctory. But the complicated plot is surprisingly cogent, characters are well-drawn (particularly the grandparents), and extreme subjects, like molestation and Jewish persecution during WWII, are handled with a measure of sentiment.
Customer Reviews
Perfect
Laugh out loud funny, and wipe way the tears in other parts. Another enjoyable book by a talented author. The characters are believable and easy to follow. Plot is well developed and written so descriptive you can see it. Mrs. Lamb is one of the few authors that delivers an amazing book each and every time. Looking forward to the next.
Amazing!
I picked this book up by accident...or was it? It has been a LONG time since I've read a book that made me laugh, cry, think & feel like this one. I was so charmed by Ms. Lamb's writing style. Her characters are complex & honest. Her subject matter was both dark & light...it made me feel every emotion so strongly as few writers can. I am an instant "forever fan" of her & am buying everything I can get my hands on by her! Thank you thank you thank you, Cathy Lamb.